UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

A WEB BASED SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING

HOME EQUIPMENTS

This report submitted in accordance with requirement of the Universiti Teknikal

Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) for the Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering
Technology (Computer Systems) (Hons.)

by

NUR IZZATI BINTI MUHAMAD ZIN

B071110295
920314-04-5386

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

2015
 UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS LAPORAN PROJEK SARJANA MUDA

TAJUK: A Web Based System for Controlling Home Equipments.

SESI PENGAJIAN: 2014/15 Semester 1

Saya NUR IZZATI BINTI MUHAMAD ZIN

mengaku membenarkan Laporan PSM ini disimpan di Perpustakaan Universiti

Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut:
1. Laporan PSM adalah hak milik Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka dan penulis.
2. Perpustakaan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka dibenarkan membuat salinan
untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja dengan izin penulis.
3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan laporan PSM ini sebagai bahan
pertukaran antara institusi pengajian tinggi.
4. **Sila tandakan ( )

SULIT
(Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan
atau kepentingan Malaysia sebagaimana yang termaktub
dalam AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972)
TERHAD (Mengandungi maklumat TERHAD yang telah ditentukan
oleh organisasi/badan di mana penyelidikan dijalankan)
TIDAK TERHAD
Disahkan oleh:

Alamat Tetap: Cop Rasmi:

No 3553, Jalan SJ 3/6D,
Taman Seremban Jaya, 70450,
Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.

Tarikh: ________________________ Tarikh: _______________________

** Jika Laporan PSM ini SULIT atau TERHAD, sila lampirkan surat daripada pihak berkuasa/organisasi
berkenaan dengan menyatakan sekali sebab dan tempoh laporan PSM ini perlu dikelaskan sebagai
SULIT atau TERHAD.
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 DECLARATION

I hereby, declared this report entitled “A Web Based System for Controlling Home
Equipment” is the results of my own research except as cited in references.

Signature : ………………………………………….
Author’s Name : NUR IZZATI BINTI MUHAMAD ZIN
Date : 14 JANUARY 2015

iii
 APPROVAL

This report is submitted to the Faculty of Engineering Technology of UTeM as a

partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor’s Degree in
Computer Engineering Technology (Computer Systems) (Hons.). The member
of the supervisory is as follow:

………………………………
Dr Abd Kadir

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 ABSTRAK

Trend semasa dalam bidang pengkomputeran telah membawa kita kepada dunia yang
mempunyai pelbagai peranti komputer yang mudah diakses, dihubungkan antara satu
sama lain dan turut jua kepada infrastruktur rangkaian yang semakin meningkat yang
telah mewujudkan peluang-peluang baru dalam bidang Teknologi Maklumat. Trend
ini juga membuktikan telah menjadi penyelesaian kepada kenaikkan kos elektrik
yang telah mengalami peningkatan geometrik di beberapa buah negara.
Meninggalkan peralatan elektronik dan elektrik dirumah ketika kita keluar bekerja
atau memulakan perjalanan yang jauh akan mengundang bahaya disamping
meningkatkan jumlah penggunaan tenaga akibat pembaziran ini. Tujuan
mengendalikan peralatan rumah melalui sistem berasaskan web ini adalah untuk
mengawal peralatan rumah daripada titik kawalan pusat. Dalam penulisan ini, reka
bentuk dan pelaksanaanya dalam kos yang rendah tetapi fleksibel kerana berasaskan
web sistem automatik dimana boleh mengawal peralatan rumah seperti kipas dan
lampu. Komunikasi diantara peralatan ini menggunakan medium komunikasi tanpa
wayar. Peralatan ini dihubungkan kepada mesin server dan boleh dikawal melalui
internet menggunakan pelayar web pada PC Dekstop atau komputer riba, dan pelayar
web pada telefon mudah alih atau tablet. Antara muka aplikasi web ini dibangunkan
bagi membolehkan pengguna untuk mengawal peralatan rumah secara langsung dan
menghidupkan atau mematikan peralatan mengikut arahan yang diberi. Dalam erti
kata lain, sistem ini membaca data daripada aplikasi web dan bertindak balas kepada
peralatan mengikut data yang diterima. Sistem ini akan dilaksanakan dengan
menggunakan mikroproses Arduino dan Perisai Arduino yang membentuk sisi
pelayar sistem. Prototaip sistem juga turut dilaksana bagi projek ini.

i
 ABSTRACT

The current trend in computing has launched us into a world of numerous, easily
accessible computing devices connected to each other and to an increasingly
ubiquitous network infrastructure which has created new opportunities in
Information Technology. This trend has proven to be a solution to electricity costs
which has experienced geometric increase in some countries. Leaving electronic
devices on at home while away for work or when you embark on a trip has its
inherent dangers, as well as rising energy consumption which amounts to waste. The
aim of this home controlling equipment through web based systems is to control
home from a central control point. In this paper, its design and implementation a low
cost but yet flexible web based automation system which can control home
equipments such as light and fan. The communication between this device is
wireless. The appliances are connected to the server machine and can be controlled
over the Internet using a web browser on a desktop PC, Laptop, and web browser on
mobile phone or tablet. The developed web user interface allows the user to control
home appliances directly and also they can check their status of appliances or
directly switch ON and OFF the devices according to the user order. In other word, it
reads the data from the web system and response to control the devices according to
the data send by the user. The system will implemented using Arduino Uno
microprocessor and Arduino Ethernet a which forms the server side of the system. A
prototype of this system will be develop at the end of this project.

ii
 DEDICATION

Dedicated to my beloved,

Muhamad Zin bin Abdul Mutalib

Sarina binti Mohamad
Muhammad Hamizan bin Muhamad Zin
Nur Hazwani binti Muhamad Zin
Muhammad Haziq bin Muhamad Zin
Ahmad Nu’aim bin Zulkifli

For your infinite and unfading love, sacrifice, patience and encouragement besides
the understanding and cooperation.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful Alhamdulillah, all
praises to Allah for the strengths and His blessing in completing this thesis
throughout my four year studies at the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka. Special
appreciation goes to my supervisor, Dr Abd Kadir, for his supervision and constant
support. His invaluable help of constructive comments and suggestions throughout
the experimental and thesis works have contributed to the success of this research.
Not forgotten, my appreciation to my co-supervisor, Encik Mohd Saad bin Hamid for
his support and knowledge regarding this topic.

Apart from that, I would like to thanks to my academic advisor, Encik Rostam
Affendi bin Hamzah and extend my gratitude to my friends, my fellow course mates
BTCS’s first generation for their generous support and help provided during this
completion of project. A special note of thanks to Ahmad Nu’aim bin Zulkifli, his
contribution and support is very much appreciated for this would not be feasible
without his assistance.

A special thanks to my beloved family for their everlasting love, sacrifices and
prayers. They have taught me to give my best in what I do, and be strong through
adversity. Ayah had always inspired me with his thirst for knowledge by constantly
reading and learning while ibu’s virtue of patience and faith has always been
admirable. I appreciate their understanding. Thank you Ayah & Ibu! Not forgetting
my siblings - Abang, Kak Lang, and Adik who are the sunshine of my life. No matter
near or far, they have always stuck with me through thick and thin. Thank you for
keeping me strong and alive!

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

Abstrak i
Abstract ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Table of Content v
List of Tables ix
List of Figures x
List Abbreviations, Symbols and Nomenclatures xi

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background 1
1.2 Problem Statement 2
1.3 Problem Objective 3
1.4 Project Scope 3
1.5 Project Requirement 4
1.6 Project Constraints Consideration 4
1.7 Thesis Outline 4

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Home Automation 6
2.2 Home Automation Standard 8
2.2.1 X10 Standard 8
2.3 Home Automation Implementation Platforms 11
2.3.1 Ethernet 11
2.3.2 Arduino Ethernet 12
2.3.3 GSM Module 16
2.3.4 Arduino Uno 18
2.4 Closed Loop Control Systems 19

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

2.5 Need of Automation 21

2.6 Related Work About Home Automation 22
2.7 Other Type of Home Automation 23
2.7.1 Home Appliances Control Using A Remote Control 23
2.7.2 Home Appliance Control Using DTMF 23
2.7.3 Home Appliance Control Using Free Hand Gesture 23
2.7.4 Home Appliance Control Using Internet and 24
Radio Connection
2.7.5 Home Appliance Control Using Speech Recognition 24
2.7.6 Home Appliance Control Using Power Line
Communication Technology 25
2.7.7 Home Appliance Control Using Bluetooth 25
2.8 Strengths of Project 26
2.9 Comparison Between Web Based and Apps Based Application 27

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Project Development Process 28
3.2 Architecture of Systems 32
3.3 Design Components 35
3.3.1 Software Components 35
3.3.1.1 Telnet 35
3.3.1.2 GSM Module Programming 36
3.3.1.3 Arduino Board Programming 38
3.3.2 Hardware Components 39
3.3.2.1 Arduino 39
3.3.2.2 Local Server 39
3.3.2.3 Modem 39
3.2.2.4 Remote Workstations 40
3.3.2.5 Home Appliances 40

vi
 TABLE OF CONTENT

3.4 Method of Collecting Data 41

CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Hardware Implementation 42
4.1.1 Arduino Uno and Ethernet Board 43
4.1.2 Arduino Uno, Ethernet Board and Relay 46
4.2 Software Implementation 50
4.2.1 Web Server Application 50
4.2.2 Arduino IDE 52
4.3 Control System 55
4.4 System Description 57
4.4.1 User 57
4.4.2 Server 57
4.4.3 Access Point 58
4.4.4 Device Control Unit 58
4.4.5 Devices 58
4.4.6 System Operating Environment 58
4.4.7 User Interfaces 59
4.5 Functional Requirement 60
4.5.1 Access Point 60
4.5.2 Two Way Communication Receiver 61
4.5.3 Microcontroller Units 61
4.5.4 Server Applications 62
4.5.5 Client Interface 62

vii
 TABLE OF CONTENT

4.6 Non Functional Requirement 63

4.7 Home Gateway Application Framework 64
4.8 System Operation 65

CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

6.1 Conclusion 70
6.2 Recommendation and Future Work 72

REFERENCES 73

APPENDICES
A. Specification Schematic Diagram for Arduino Ethernet 76
B. Specification Schematic Diagram for Arduino Uno 77
C. Source Code of Program 78

viii
 LIST OF TABLES

2.1 List of X10 four bit commands 10

2.2 Summary of Arduino Ethernet 15
2.3 GSM Air Interface Specifications 17
2.4 Arduino Uno Features 18
2.5 The Comparison between Web Based Version and Mobile Apps 27
Version
3.1 Summary of project development process 30
4.1 Arduino Uno Pin Configuration 43
4.2 Connection of Arduino Uno, Arduino Ethernet and Relay 44

ix
 LIST OF FIGURES

2.1 Example of Smart Home Technology Automation 7

2.2 Arduino Ethernet Revision 3 board front view 13
2.3 Arduino Ethernet Revision 3 board rear view 13
2.4 Block Diagram for Closed Loop Systems 19
3.1 Flowchart of the project development process 29
3.2 Project Planning Time Frame 31
3.3 Overview of Conceptual architecture 32
3.4 GSM programming flowchart 36
3.5 GSM block diagram 37
3.6 Programming flow chart for Arduino Board 38
3.7 Home appliance flow diagram 40
4.1 Connection of components on breadboard 43
4.2 Connection of Arduino Uno, Arduino Ethernet and Relay 44
4.3 Relay operation 46
4.4 NO COM NC of Relay 48
4.5 Relay connection to appliances and Arduino 49
4.6 Current State of Appliances 54
4.7 System Block Diagram 57
4.8 Message between Arduino and Web Server 64
4.9 Web Based Graphic User Interface 65
4.10 Home Controlling Equipment Prototype 66
4.11 Turn ON the button 67
4.12 Turn OFF the button 68
4.13 State Diagram of Operation 69

x
 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS, SYMBOLS AND
NOMENCLATURE

AC - Alternate Current
APIs - Programming Interfaces
CSMA/CD - Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detect
DTMF - Dual Tone Multi Frequency
FTDI - Future Technology Devices International
GSM - Global System for Mobile Communications
GUI - Graphical User Interface
GPRS - General Packet Radio Service
HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol
EHS - European Home Systems (EHS)
HVAC - Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
IBM - International Business Machines
IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IC - Integrated Circuit
ICSP - In Circuit Serial Programming
JDS - Justice Digital Solutions
LAN - Local Area Network
POE - Power Over Ethernet
PC - Personal Computer
PCS - Powerline Carrier Systems
PLC - Power Line Communication
PWM - Pulse width Modulation
RF - Radio Frequency
UPB - Universal Powerline Bus
URL - Uniform Resource Locator
USB - Universal Serial Bus
WIFI - Wireless Fidelity
WWW - World Wide We

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 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter will discuss briefly the project flow from introduction, objectives and
problems statement of project. Hence, followed by the scope of work and the
description of the methodology. Each sub-topic relates each other in order to make
the readers understand about the flow of the project.

1.1 Background

There has been an explosive growth in Internet for the last few years. Millions of
computers are connected together and can exchange information, picture, data and
other through World Wide Web (www) or global networking. The availability of
connection through the web has introduced many new things, such as E-banking,
Internet telephone, telemedicine, online conferences and virtual library reference.
Nowadays web based control system is one of the popular control systems. Web
based control means using web pages to control external devices or automation
processes.

While home automation means the use of control systems and information
technology to control equipment, industrial machinery and process or in other words,
reducing the need for human intervention. Automation plays an increasingly
important role in daily experience and global economy. Engineers strive to combine
automated devices with mathematical and organizational tools to create complex
systems for a rapidly expanding range of applications and human activities.

1
Many roles for humans in industrial processes presently lie beyond the scope of
automation. Human-level pattern recognition, language recognition, and language
production ability are well beyond the capabilities of modern mechanical and
computer systems.

Sometimes, when going out or travel far away from home and suddenly remember
that forget to switch OFF our television, air conditioner or when there are able to
switch on our air conditioning system twenty minute before get to home on a hot
afternoon. This is what home automation is about and there is no end to its
application. Besides in fact, sophisticated home automation system are now being
developed that can maintain an inventory of household items.

1.2 Problem Statement

The main problem bring up to develop such a project of smart home system because
of our human being bad attitude itself. Lazy to turn ON or OFF home appliances are
common problem among us besides forget to do it while in rushing situation or even
while asleep. Percentage of wastage of high electricity is increasing year by year. A
better smart home system is able to overcome or to be a solution for this serious
problem. Next, older people are incapable to control home appliances by moving all
over house especially if a double story house. Definitely they will suffer to control
their home appliances if the house designed control the appliances by switches. This
kind of problem can be solved by developing a system which the home appliances
controlling by a web based application either through Personal Computer (PC) or
web browser from the smart phone because smart phone is becoming a product
where necessary and necessity nowadays to our daily life style due to the modern era.
In future smart phone will use by everyone, not only for communication purpose but
also for other important purpose thing.

2
1.3 Project Objective

The objective of this project are:

a) To design and implement a system that will enable users to remotely

control their home appliances or check their status, through the medium
called Internet.
b) To develop a web interface which user will be able to communicate with
their home appliance such as fan, lamp, or television.
c) To implement a low cost, reliable and scalable prototype of home
automation system that can be used to remotely switch ON or OFF
household appliance.

1.4 Project Scope

In order to achieve this objective of the project, several scopes has been outlined.
This project consist of hardware and software. The hardware will give an output to
control the home equipment. The hardware consist of:

a) The Arduino Ethernet Shield

b) Arduino Uno
c) Home controlling equipment box
d) GSM Module

This project work is complete on its own in remotely and automatically switching
ON and OFF of electrical appliance and only limited to household appliances. It
sends a feedback message indicating the new present state of the appliance. It does
not implement control of multiple appliances or automatic detection of faults in the
controlled appliance.

3
1.5 Project Requirement

The requirement of this project are:

a) The system cannot be operate if no WIFI or internet connection either
inside or outside from home.
b) Number of electrical appliances that can be controlled by this system is
limited
c) If appliances are disconnected from the main supply, they can no longer
be controlled by the user and that part of the system would be rendered
non-functional.

1.6 Project Constraints Consideration

The following is a list of constraint considerations:

a) The controlled appliances will need an electrical control interface. This
system is only capable of controlling electrical devices.
b) The control module will need to be shielded against electrostatic
discharges. This will increase the reliability of the system.
c) Battery backup for controlling unit can be implemented in case of power
disruption.

1.7 Thesis Outline

Web based system for controlling home equipment using Arduino technology’s final
thesis is a combination of 5 chapters overall that contains and elaborates specific
topics such as the Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Result and
Analysis, Conclusion.

4
Chapter 1: Introduction of the project. The explanation for the project will
be given in a general term. The objectives of the project will
be elaborated. It is followed by the explanation in the scope of
project, objective doing this project and also the problem
statements. Besides the project requirement.

Chapter 2: Literature review for the development of web based system for
controlling home equipment. This chapter describes the
literature review of the project elaborately. Explanation will be
focused on web based system for controlling home equipment
related researched and based on theory and conceptual ideas.
Some literature reviews of current existing projects based on
web based system for controlling home equipment are also be
discussed here.

Chapter 3: Methodology of the project. This chapter discusses the full

methodology of the overall project. Hardware architecture and
software implementation of the project. This chapter discusses
about the architecture of the project that consists the hardware
design and the software implementation. Also the organization
of the project.

Chapter 4: Result and Analysis. This chapter explains the result obtained
regarding the performance of the system in general term and
overall systems operation.

Chapter 5: Conclusion. Conclusion and further development or future

recommendation that can be applied in this project are being
discussed in this last chapter.